carp is a fish species (Cyprinus carpio) common in Asia, Africa and Europe, but with Chinese origin. This animal has several mythical meanings in Eastern culture, as a good luck sign, virility, wisdom and endurance.
Also known as koi or karpa koi, carp have been raised in ponds for over a thousand years. It also lives in warm waters, slow-course rivers and lakes. They feed on small invertebrates that they capture in the slime.
Some carp species are popular exclusively as ornamental fish, being kept in ponds or aquariums.
In eastern countries such as Japan and China, carp means good luck, success, long life and perseverance, and it is a highly valued and respected fish.
There is a Chinese legend that says that the carp had to reach the source of the Yellow River, which runs through the entire Chinese continent, at the time of spawning, having to swim and jump valleys full of waterfalls to the mountain Jishin. The carp that made it to the end would turn into a dragon.
carp tattoos
The carp design is widely used in tattoos, and has several meanings, such as strength to achieve goals, living jewels who swim, perseverance and courage, because these fish are capable of swimming against the current and jumping waterfalls during the spawning season.
The golden carp is the most used model for tattoo designs, being also quite associated with wisdom and intellectual knowledge.
Symbolically, when tattooing a carp pointed upwards, it represents the will and strength that the person has to achieve dreams and future goals. When the carp is drawn face down, it means that the person's main life goals have already been accomplished, thanks to a lot of struggle and perseverance.
